Musically described as Heavy Metal, Doom Metal or Drone, The Sword lacks the corny gloss of most mainstream Metal throwbacks. Instead, the band might best be described as the soundtrack to the most awesome game of Dungeons and Dragons ever played. Through saturated drones, drum circle rhythms and muscled-up guitar riffs, lead singer John D. Cronise narrates the band’s many perilous battles that lie ahead. Since 2003, The Sword has not so quietly become the cornerstone of the budding retro Metal scene. While many say the band’s principle influence is Black Sabbath, fans are more likely to see the Austin-based group at a musky Kentucky club than an Oz Fest or Warped Tour. The Sword will stop in Covington on Sunday for a one-day break from their current tour opening for Metallica. No doubt opening for Metallica is a huge commercial step for the band, which could have easily skipped its date at the Mad Hatter. Instead, Covington should prepare to see a lot of people wandering the streets who look like they rarely leave their parents’ basement. With roots beginning at South by Southwest, the band has been a steady contributor of sweetness, of being fucking sick and of general serious thrashing. 7 p.m. $10. Get venue details and find nearby bars and restaurants here.
This article appears in Nov 5-11, 2008.
